DIGESTIVE SYSTEM (2)

PAROTID GLAND: The parotid glands are the largest salivary glands. They produce most of the saliva in your mouth and are located just in front of the ears. Moreover, the large parotid gland consists entirely of serous acini with cells producing amylase and other proteins for storage in secretory granules.

LINGUAL PAPILLAE: Lingual papillae are the small, nipple-like structures on the upper surface of the tongue. This structure is what gives the tongue its rough texture. There are four types of papillae namely filiform, fungiform, circumvallate (or vallate), and foliate. In the illustration, the dorsal surface of the tongue is shown with both the filiform and fungiform papillae. The filiform papillae are responsible for giving the tongue its texture. Aside from this, it is also responsible for the sensation of touch. The fungiform papillae’s function, on the other hand, is not just to sense temperature and touch but also, to detect flavor as well.

ESOPHAGUS: The esophagus is a tube that connects the throat and the stomach. It forms an important piece of the gastrointestinal tract and functions as a transport tube or as the conduit for food and liquids that have been swallowed into the pharynx to reach the stomach.